North Area Neighborhood

Elections Information English - LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

What is a Neighborhood Council?

The Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance in 1999 creating a citywide system of neighborhood councils that act as a conduit between the city of Los Angeles and the community. It is run by people like you and is intended to give the community a voice in dealing with issues that affect the community.

Who can run for a seat on the governing board and who can vote?
Any stakeholder age 16 and older can vote and run for elected office. A stakeholder is defined as anyone who lives, works, owns property or attends school or is involved in a community or religious organization within the boundaries of the neighborhood council.

How can I become a board member?

You must submit a Candidate Filing form, fill it out and return it to the Empowerment Congress North Area Neighborhood Development Council, P.O. Box 7223, Los Angeles 90007 or you may bring your filing form to a neighborhood council meeting and submit it to the elections committee chair.

You may obtain a candidate packet by:

a) Attending a regular meeting of the EC NANDC governing board. The board meets the first Thursday of every month at the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic, 3787 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles 90007;

b) Calling (323) 864-8980 or email Guillermo.Farias@WATER.LADWP.com to request a packet;

c) You may pick-up a packet from the following locations:
Bethune Library, 3665 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles 90007
L.A.P.D. Southwest Division, 1546 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., Los Angeles
90062
King Park Community Center, 3916 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles 90062

What are the duties of board members?

The governing body shall:
(a) Provide leadership on the Neighborhood Development Council

(b) Plan community meetings, events and activities

(c) Monitor issues within the Neighborhood Council boundaries

(d) Participate in ongoing projects, events and activities

(e) attend scheduled community and planning meetings

Board members are expected to attend the councils monthly meeting, as well as serve on at least one committee. The standing committees include: Public Safety Committee, Land Use Committee, Outreach Committee, Youth Committee, City Services Committee, Finance Committee, and Rules and Procedures Committee

President: Shall preside over all regular meetings of the Neighborhood Council and the Executive Body. Appoint committees with the approval of a majority vote of the Executive Body. Represent the Council before other agencies and organizations as directed by a majority vote of the Executive Body.

Vice-President: To perform the duties of the President in his/her absence, serve as an ex-officio member of committees and any other duties as directed by the President.
Secretary: To carry out the official correspondence of the Council. Keep minutes of meetings. Prepare and distribute agenda for each meeting of the Executive Body, Governing Body and Area Assembly. Maintaining and updating all official Council documents.

Neighborhood Representatives: Post notices of all Governing Body and Area Assembly meetings. Serve on committees and perform other duties as directed by the President. Identify and monitor issues within the Neighborhood Development Council boundaries.

At-Large Members: Shall have the same duties and responsibilities as Neighborhood
Representatives.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall oversee and be charged with the full custody and control of all Council funds and assets. The Treasurer will establish an account or accounts for deposit of Council funds in a federally insured (FICA) bank of financial institution in the precise name of the Council, as certified by the City of Los Angeles. The Treasurer shall establish and oversee a system of bookkeeping and accounting for the Council that complies with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and conforms to all applicable Local, State, or Federal laws. The Treasurer may request authorization from the Governing Body to retain professional assistance in creating bookkeeping and accounting systems. The Treasurer shall make a report to the Governing Body on the NANDC finances at every regular meeting of the Governing Body.

Why should you care that elections for a new governing board of the ECNANDC will be held on June 4, 2005?

Decisions made by your neighborhood council can affect your quality of life.

Neighborhood councils receive $50,000 a year from the taxes you pay to City Hall.

People elected to the governing board make decisions about how that money is spent.

You have a right to voice your opinion as to how that money should be spent.

What are some examples of how the money can be used to address issues that you care about?

a) Neighborhood beautification and cleanup activities.

b) Plan and implement programs and activities for young people.

c) Host community meetings that include elected officials and representatives from a
variety of city agencies to address topics such as public safety, street maintenance, land use plans, economic development and general municipal responsiveness to you and your neighbors concerns.

How can I get more information?

For more information, please call or email Guillermo Farias, chair of the Elections Committee at (323) 864-8980 or email

Guillermo.Farias@WATER.LADWP.com.

Also, please attend the monthly meetings neighborhood council meetings of the governing board, which normally meets at 6:30 pm on the first Thursday of every month at the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic, 3787 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles 90007

* Once elected, the new board will appoint the treasurer and five at large representatives, bringing the total number of board seats to 15.

Email us
Guillermo.Farias@WATER.LADWP.com.